Finally: Facebook debuts native iPad app

Facebook for iPad is finally here. On Monday the social networking company debuted its long-awaited native application for the iPad, capping off months of speculation of the whens and hows of the potential launch.

The app’s interface is made to be especially fitting with the iPad experience, particularly when browsing photos. “Give the screen a swipe to page through albums. Pinch a picture to zoom in,” Facebook mobile engineer Leon Dubinsky wrote in a blog post announcing the launch. “Photos really shine on the iPad. They’re bigger and easy to flip through, like a real photo album.”

The app, which Facebook says is available in the Apple App Store now, also has a few new features for the iPad, including the ability to chat with friends, play Facebook games in full-screen mode, and watch high-resolution videos in the app.

Along with the iPad app launch, Facebook said Monday it has made several improvements to Facebook for iPhone and Facebook’s mobile website, m.facebook.com. “In your next update, you’ll see a simplified navigation, faster search and access to more games and apps,” Dubinsky wrote.